Peaky Blinders Series Four

Graham Craycraft

 Peaky Blinders is a British television series accompanied with Netflix for view in America and throughout the rest of the world. In its fourth series (British for season in case there was any confusion) Thomas Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, and family take on a whole new set of trials. For those who have seen the previous three series, this is well put together. I don't want to have any spoilers so I will touch on the first three series and the stylistic points of the fourth. 

 Personally, the first series/season was outstanding at setting up the post World War I Birmingham gang in a gritty thought provoking, but action packed series. By the first episode I knew there was something here, and by the second, I knew I was going to love it. Up there with drama series Sopranos and Breaking Bad, Peaky Blinders had a definite vibe that series creator and writer Steven Knight built along with his directors and directors of photography. The third series left a muddy taste in my mouth. It was perhaps a little too well thought out with some odd characterization and confusing character roles. So I was hesitant, but still excited for series four.

 Series four, directed solely by David Caffrey and director of photography Cathal Watters, is a beauty to behold. The lighting, daring new music choices, camera shots/angles, and maybe above all else, in terms of aestheticism, is the color scheme. Watters and Caffrey put together the most visually appealing and pleasing series yet. The blues, golds, reds, and balance of light and dark is remarkable. Music has always been a strong suit of Peaky Blinders and this season delivers with some different tastes than is usually heard in the show. With artists like Laura Marling, RadioHead, the Kills, and others, it is a slightly new direction for the show, but all songs seemed to fit, and belong. I do have a qualm about one aspect of series four, but I will leave that out so I don't affect anyone's mindset going in. Thomas Shelby's foresight and careful planning is a treat to watch, and Steven Knight delivers again. 

 For anyone who has seen Peaky Blinders up to now, this season is not a disappointment by any means. Check it out, and let me know what you think. If you haven't seen the show and do have Netflix, give it a watch from series one. Enjoy. 

Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 6, 2018 at 7:42 PM

    I had never heard of Peaky Blinders until now. Thanks for your review and I will check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 7, 2018 at 10:06 PM

    Upon reading this review, I believe I have found my next show! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete

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